The Tracker

Released Jan 16, 2004

1h 38m

Drama

List

88%

33 Reviews

Tomatometer

86%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

When a white woman is murdered in 1920s Australia, a police officer (Gary Sweet) ventures into the outback with a small crew in search of the aboriginal fugitive (Noel Wilton) accused of the crime. In his group are a newcomer to the country (Damon Gameau), an old sage (Grant Page) and an indigenous tracker (David Gulpilil) who is not fully trusted by the racially prejudiced officer. As the pursuit through this dangerous territory drags on, tensions begin to rise between the crew members.

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Critics Consensus

An engrossing drama.

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Kevin Crust

Los Angeles Times

A high-minded film that at times verges on didacticism, The Tracker is redeemed by its adherence to a simple yet distinctive approach to storytelling and its uniformly strong acting.

Rated: 3.5/5

Mar 4, 2005

Full Review

David Stratton

Variety

An imposing film that tackles a serious theme with dignity and even audacity and that features production values of the highest quality.

Mar 3, 2005

Full Review

Jay Antani

Slant Magazine

The Tracker is the first significant movie to find its way into American theaters in 2005.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 24, 2005

Full Review

Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

This is strong and uniquely Australian storytelling at its very best.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 13, 2020

Full Review

Film Threat

Rated: 4/5

Dec 6, 2005

Full Review

Jules Brenner

Filmcritic.com

strangely awkward in terms of film pacing

Rated: 3/5

Oct 14, 2005

Full Review

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Gareth v

David Gulipil is superb is this haunting and powerful piece of cinema. Rolf de Heer is the master of making brutal films on race relations in Australia and produces yet again with this movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/29/23

Full Review

Ian J

Nit so bad if it was made by highschool students. I loved gulpilill in this. The only bloke with some acting skills. The music was out of place, the script is horrible, the cinematography is amateur at best as is the acting. The topic deserves so much more attention but films of this calibre won't make it to those who need to see it. Such a wasted opportunity.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

06/05/23

Full Review

Jeff W

It's a good movie. Very realistic and engaging portrayal of 1920s Australia in terms of treatment of indigenous people. I would have rated it more highly had it not been for the music - all sung by the same person, all with the same theme, and way too much of it.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/09/23

Full Review

delysid d

it's a good watch, check out mad dog morgan, fantasm

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/17/21

Full Review

sanja s

Captivating and surprising...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Not really an allegory, despite the characters being given only labels such as The Tracker, The Fanatic, The Follower, and The Veteran, rather than names. Instead, the film shows us the relations between a group of white men and Indigenous Australians in 1922 as a sort of microcosm or potent example of the wider relations between the invaders/colonisers and the First Peoples. And although the prejudice and devaluation are explicit and brutal then, there can be no denying that prejudice and devaluation remain, perhaps institutionalised, perhaps living on in those who miss the White Australia policy. As the Tracker, David Gulpilil has the toughest role and plays it with great subtlety. We see him assisting the white men (led by Gary Sweet as the Fanatic) who are hunting an Aboriginal man who has been accused of killing a white woman - and of course, we wonder what has led The Tracker to "betray" his people (which in itself is a problematic thought, since we soon can infer that the Tracker is from a different nation). When the hunters interact with other Indigenous people, The Tracker is in the middle, perhaps feeling guilty or at least awkward. No doubt there are strong situational forces that have put him into this position. But after a brutal act (or multiple acts) by the Fanatic, The Tracker (as well as the Follower, Damon Gameau, and the Veteran, Grant Page) begins to distance themselves from him. The movie continues until the Fugitive is caught and there are a number of dramatic events en route. However, the plot itself is possibly less important to the impact of the film than other aspects: 1) the impressive landscape (always important in Aboriginal cultures); 2) the music (songs sung by Archie Roach with lyrics that comment on the characters and actions driven by almost psychedelic soulful rock); and 3) artworks (dynamic primitive paintings by Peter Coad are used to avoid presenting violence realistically) heighten the power of the film and its ability to convey its important message. If only these lessons could be learned.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

Full Review

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Rolf de Heer

Director

David Gulpilil

The Tracker

Gary Sweet

The Fanatic

Damon Gameau

The Follower

Grant Page

The Veteran

Noel Wilton

Fugitive

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Synopsis

When a white woman is murdered in 1920s Australia, a police officer (Gary Sweet) ventures into the outback with a small crew in search of the aboriginal fugitive (Noel Wilton) accused of the crime. In his group are a newcomer to the country (Damon Gameau), an old sage (Grant Page) and an indigenous tracker (David Gulpilil) who is not fully trusted by the racially prejudiced officer. As the pursuit through this dangerous territory drags on, tensions begin to rise between the crew members.

Director: Rolf de Heer
Producer: Bridget Ikin
Screenwriter: Rolf de Heer
Distributor: ArtMattan Productions
Production Co: Vertigo Productions Pty. Ltd.
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 16, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 17, 2020
Runtime: 1h 38m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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